Best Plants for Hanging Baskets: Ideas for Sun and Shade

Hanging baskets can be arranged to thrive in full sun or shady areas and are a great way to add color to your outdoor living spaces. Let's take a look at what hanging basket plants can work best for a great look in any landscape or exposure. 

How to Create a Hanging Basket

To create a hanging basket at home, start by selecting a basket that has proper drainage and is the appropriate size for your chosen plants.

Line the basket with sphagnum moss or a coconut coir liner. Fill the basket with a quality potting mix and add slow-release fertilizer.

Then, choose your trailing plants and insert them into the soil. Water the basket thoroughly and hang it in a spot that receives the appropriate amount of sunlight.

Hanging Basket Plant Selection:

Make a Statement with Bold Colors

Bold colors like bright pinks and purples, or vibrant oranges and yellows, can add a real pop of color to your hanging basket.

Plants like the trailing petunia ‘Supertunia’ or ‘Imagination’ verbena are great choices for their bold colors.

Pick Plants with Bright Foliage

Not all plants need flowers to make a statement. Trailing plants with bright foliage like the golden pothos can add a striking touch to your hanging basket. The Bacopa, with its delicate, small leaves, is another great option for trailing greenery.

Contrast Colors

For a unique look, try contrasting colors in your hanging basket. Pairing purple trailing petunias with bright yellow sweet alyssum can create a beautiful, eye-catching contrast.

Pairing plants with contrasting colors like the deep purple fuchsia plant with bright pink trailing petunias can create a striking, eye-catching effect.

Think Small But Mighty

Small flowering plants can add a big impact to your hanging baskets. Try dwarf marigolds or compact fuchsia plants for beautiful and bold blooms in a small space.

Use Soft Colors to Create a Romantic Look

Soft pink or white trailing plants can add a romantic touch to your hanging basket. The Bacopa and Sweet Alyssum are great options for soft, delicate colors.

Start with Ferns

Ferns are a great low-maintenance option for outdoor hanging baskets. They require minimal watering and can add a lush, green look to your basket.

Create Interest with Rich Colors & Different Plant Heights

Add some interest to your hanging basket with rich colors like deep reds or vibrant oranges. The trailing Begonia ‘Bonfire’ or Million Bells ‘Calibrachoa’ are great options for their deep, rich hues.

Pick Your Favorite Colors

Sometimes, the best choice is simply your favorite color. Whether it's a bold orange or a soft pink, choose a trailing plant that brings you joy and adds some personality to your outdoor space.

Select Fragrant Favorites

For an added sensory experience, choose trailing plants with a pleasant fragrance. The Sweet Alyssum or trailing lobelia are great options for their sweet, delicate scents.

Use Full, Double Flowers

Double-flowered petunias, geraniums, and fuchsias make great choices for hanging baskets, as they provide a fuller look. Mix and match different colors of full, double flowers for a stunning and vibrant display in your hanging basket.

Top Tip:

No matter how small your garden, there's always room to hang baskets of blooms and vines. These are the best-hanging plants to add color and texture to any porch, deck, balcony, or sunroom.

Some Hanging Basket Plant Classics:

Imagination Verbena (Verbena speciosa ‘Imagination'):

This trailing plant is great for hanging baskets because of its showy clusters of purple flowers that bloom all summer long. It is also easy to care for and attracts pollinators.

Supertunia Petunias (Petunia hybrid):

These petunias are perfect for hanging baskets because of their long trailing stems that produce abundant blooms in a range of colors. They are also low maintenance and thrive in full sun.

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri):

This trailing plant has delicate white or blue flowers and a trailing habit that makes it ideal for hanging baskets. It is easy to care for and can tolerate partial shade, making it a versatile choice.

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima):

This low-growing plant is perfect for hanging baskets because of its sweet fragrance and trailing habit. It produces masses of small, fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white.

Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.):

These stunning plants have showy, pendulous flowers in a range of colors, including pink, purple, red, and white.

They are ideal for hanging baskets because of their trailing habit and ability to bloom all season long. They prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Ferns (Polypodiopsida)

Ferns come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are perfect for adding a touch of greenery to any hanging basket. They are easy to care for and thrive in low-light conditions.

String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus)

String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus): This unique trailing plant has small, bead-like leaves that look like pearls and can add an interesting texture to any hanging basket. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil.

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Golden Pothos is a great hanging plant because it is incredibly easy to care for and is very adaptable to a wide range of light conditions. The plant has long, trailing vines covered in heart-shaped leaves with yellow or white variegation, making it a visually appealing addition to any hanging basket.

How to Care for Hanging Basket Plants

To care for your hanging basket plants, make sure they receive adequate water and sunlight. Check the soil daily to ensure it remains moist but not waterlogged.

Fertilize the plants regularly to ensure they continue to bloom and grow throughout the season.

Choosing the right plants for your hanging baskets can be challenging, especially if you're not familiar with the different types of plants that thrive in a hanging environment. This is where the help of a landscaper comes in handy.

At Shrubhub, we are an excellent resource for expert advice on plants and landscaping. Our team of gardening experts can provide you with valuable information and tips on selecting the right plants for your hanging baskets, and many other gardening-related topics.

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